Turqueries En L’Honneur De Mr De T.

H Carre Hermes > Spring-Summer 2003

GOING TURKISH IN HONOUR OF Mr DE T.

In 1748 the boarders and the French Academy at Rome (then housed in the Mancini Palace and not yet the Medici Villa) offered their new director a "Turkish Cavalcade". Framing the festivities (a great success all the way to the square of St. Peter's!), are the pupils at the top, wearing their ordinary uniform, and below, dressed up as sultans, janissaries, pashas, viziers and other mufti. As for the eunuch costume, the boys seem not to have exhibited much ardour in disputing the privilege.